Thursday 30 December 2021

New Brompton Aluminium Hinge Clamp and Rear Frame Set

Some time ago these new hinge clamps and rear frame set appeared on the the Brompton CHPT3 version 2. I saw them in the flesh on my friends CHPT3 and liked them. The set is now available as an aftermarket extra for £75. Are they worth it I hear you ask?

The set comes in a well designed and simple box that doubles up as a set of instructions. The parts are all matt black and instantly give the feeling that they are greatly superior to the stock version. 


Fitting is quick and easy and something you can do yourself in possibly less than five minutes. 

On the bike they look really good. As far as the seatpost clamp is concerned it not only looks good it performs well. I found that it required a great deal less tightening to have the seatpost secure without slipping. I am sure that there will be some adjustments needed but it works well. 

The plates are just the standard black edition but the clamps are machined aluminium. Again they look a great deal better but they perform well, allowing a pretty rapid clamping. 


There are lots of aftermarket versions of these out there and for me at least, these look better and are of higher quality. There is nothing wrong with the standard version that comes with virtually all Brompton bicycles and I suppose it comes down to whether you feel this little upgrade is worth it. I got my set as a present but I do feel they are worth the price tag. 

Until next time, stay safe out there. 

Wednesday 29 December 2021

London Christmas ride with the Friday peeps

Today was the Christmas ride with the lovely Friday peeps. Normally I would cycle with most of the participants today on a Friday night to a coast destination. This morning it was not Friday, not was out destination to the coast. This was just an opportunity to get out and cycle a few miles around London.

My start point was NW8 and I cycled the couple of miles to Hyde Park Corner in the rain. It did become quite heavy at one point, so I stopped outside St Marylebone Parish Church to put some waterproof over-trousers on just on case. It occurred to me that the poet Lord Byron had been christened there. Not being a fan - I think due to O or A-level English Literature many years ago - it took all my self control not to moon in the general direction of the font! 

I arrived at the meeting point at Hyde Park Corner in good time and already there were many riders waiting for the off. 



These ride attract all kind of cyclists and all kinds of bicycles. The Brompton was well represented as was the recumbent division. 


Our ride leader Bob, sensibly decided to take his rather unique Brompton out today and the orange O Bag that I sold him looked rather fine I have to say perched on the front. 


We set off in good time and there was no theme for this ride, just cycling for pleasure, catching up and inevitably making plans for 2022 - always a great thing to do!



We passed the Chelsea Arts Club and were beckoned to bring our bikes over for a photo. This club is one of those private members clubs with arty and theatrical types. I think that you might guess the next bit. To become a member you have know a few people who are already members and get them to propose you for election and all that sort of thing. There are lots of these sort of clubs in London and I am not a fan. 



On the road leading to Albert Bridge there are two blue plaques of people of note. Bob Marley and Captain Scott. I chose wisely. 


As I cycled across Albert Bridge, it dawned on me that London was very quiet for a Wednesday morning. It should a great deal busier. I think you can guess why this might be the case. After this we looped around Battersea Park, crossing the Thames again. 


Cycling up The Mall is something I have done more times than I care to count but I do like to see lots of other fellow cyclists out and about. 


We eventually found our way to Regents Park and proceeded to complete a lap of the outer Circle. This is very much roadie territory but I loved it when our ride leader Bob set blistering pace, overtook a couple of roadies when them doing everything in their power to overtake. 

My abiding memory of this ride was Charlie's quite spectacular Christmas hat. This boinged up and down as he cycled along. 

 

Not long after completing the Regents Park lap I had be be elsewhere so I peeled off. This was a lovely ride - despite the weather - and may well be my last for 2021. Many thanks, as always, to Bob for leading and organising. 

Until next time, stay safe out there people!

Saturday 25 December 2021

Happy Christmas Brompton peeps

2021 has been another strange year to say the least. The 'C' word has yet to subside fully the start of 2021 saw us here in the UK entering into not only a new year but another lockdown. Hopefully this won't happen again for 2022!

I have gone on quite a few rides in 2021 and naturally lots of night rides to the coast. outside of the official ones, my dear friend Dr John and I have gone on quite a few as well. I am sure that 2022 will see us go on even more of these as they are among my all time favourites. 

2021 was also the year I welcomed another Brompton into the stable in the form of a Cloud Blue. I love this bike and it has become my go to Brompton for exclusively London rides. 


I have more than a few rides lined up for the new year, with the all new route for the Ride100 being the focus in May. If there is the prospect of a decent means of getting home, I might even participate in the Dunwich Dynamo! 


Wherever you are and whether you are celebrating Christmas with family, friends, alone or not at all, I wish you a restful few days and how that 2022 will be a good year for you. 


Until next time, take care and stay safe out there!

Thursday 23 December 2021

Ghostly goings on in London on a Brompton!

This ghost themed ride was supposed to take place on 31st October but rain stopped play so an alternative date was set aside for 14th November. The theme of the ride was various ghostly goings on in London. As far as London is concerned you could probably cycle around every day to a different location and still not visit all the places that are alleged to have some sort of supernatural story attached. I suppose that is due in part to how far London goes back. 

The start for me was NW8 and soon I found myself in the equally familiar SW7. Once at SW7 I had a breakfast that set me up for the day and then made the short journey to Hyde Park Corner. Being Remembrance Sunday, the area was busy with police and members of the armed forces getting reading for the many parades that would take part later on. 


As time ticked by more riders appeared but the only other Brompton rider was Mr Mac. Once we were all assembled and a few later comers had arrived, we were off. 



Location #1. 50 Berkeley Square

Once the house of former Prime Minister, George Canning, 50 Berkeley Square is claimed to be one of London's most haunted houses. Back in 1859, Thomas Myers lived there. He was soon to be married but given the old heave ho by his betrothed. He took things badly, becoming a recluse and locking himself away in his house and passed away in 1874. 

Those who have stayed in the attic have reported the sight of a strange brow mist. It has also been claimed that a maid went up to the attic to make the bed but never returned. The last thing those downstairs heard was a blood-curdling scream. He died the following day in an asylum. The man she was making the bed for, you would think might have found somewhere else to sleep! He decided to head off to sleep but less that half an hour later, a terrible scream was heard after which was the sound of gunshot.  He was found dead. Since then others had reported the sound of footsteps and strange shapes appearing and then disappearing. I for one wouldn't fancy staying there!






Location #2. Tyburn

Tyburn - which is pretty much located a stones throw from Marble Arch - was the site of public hangings as early as 1108 but its first recorded execution was 1196. From 1571 a triangular wooden scaffold was placed there that allowed simultaneous executions. 

Notorious criminals such as the highwayman, Jack Sheppard, could attract crowds that numbered 200,000. Onlookers would follow the condemned on the 3x mile journey from Newgate Prison to Tyburn. Hanging days were public holidays. 

The last person hanged there was the murderer and highwayman, John Austin in 1785 but since then many, who have been in the area late at night, have reported the sound of someone choking for breath and the sound of something dropping and a rope being strained. Perhaps most terrifying of the lot are the accounts of the light going out and walking into a pair of boots at head height!





Location #3. The Langham 

The Langham is a posh hotel but has quite the reputation for its ghostly goings on. A figure of a man in military uniform, standing by a window on the 4th floor, is said to be the ghost of a a German Prince who jumped out of the window before the First World War.  A ghostly butler can sometimes be seen still trying to serve guests on the 3rd floor. Another ghost with a gaping facial wound can be seen loitering in the corridors. The ghost - supposedly of Napoleon III who stated at the hotel - has been seen in the basement of all places. Perhaps the most famous, is the ghost of a man in Victorian evening wear seen in room #333 who makes an appearance in October! I have only ever visited there once when I treated my mum to a cream tea once I had got my wages for my first ever job. Thankfully, we didn't experience any of this!




Location #4. The World's End.

The first reference to a tavern on this site dates back to 1690. At this time it was rather rural and very different from today. Formally known as 'Mother Red Cap' hauntings can be traced back to a local woman, Jennie Bingham, who was known by, Mother Red Cap locally. This nickname was given to people for two reasons. That she was a landlord...or a witch. Loud screams and blood curdling shrieks have been heard in the pub. In addition loud bumps and footsteps are frequently heard. 






Location #5. Highgate Cemetery. 

Highgate Cemetery is said to one of the most haunted places in London. In the 1970s stories of the Highgate Vampire surfaced. The coffin of a medieval noblemen was said to have been brought over from central Europe and buried at the cemetery in the 18th Century. He rested peacefully until Satanists performed a ritual and woke him up. 

Back in my university days I do recall somehow getting into the cemetery in the early hours of a chilly Thursday morning (I will never forget it). Something startled one of my friends ahead and he turned running screaming. The rest of us did something similar and I have not been back since!!



Running in between the East and West part of Highgate Cemetery is Swains Lane. This get rather steep at places but was not really a problem ion my Brompton. I think the last time I was there might have been an all Brompton ride. 


I do like Swains Lane, possibly for all the wrong reasons. Whenever you go there - and this was no exception - there always seems to be the ultra lycra clad roadie on an expensive carbon road bike. They go tearing off up Swains Lane as if it where a mountain section from the Tour. Much more fun making ones ascent on a Brompton believe me. 


Location #6. Highgate Ponds

Lord Chancellor, Francis Bacon was taking in the air at Highgate during winter. He bought a hen from a nearby house (as you do) and stuffed the body with snow, so as to preserve it. Bacon fell ill almost immediately and died a few days later. Now I know what you are expecting but you are probably going to be wrong. Apparently, the ghost of the chicken he bought can be seen peaking around. You couldn't make it up could you!?



Location #7. The Flask Pub. 

The oldest part of this pub dates back to 1665 and legend had it that the first post-mortem was carried out at the pub, after two grave robbers took a fresh corpse from the nearby cemetery. Infamous highwayman Dick Turpin hid in the basement to evade capture. The main event as it were was in the 1800s when a beautiful young Spanish women, who worked there as a barmaid, became infatuated with with its owner. Expressing her love for him, he explained that he was married. She was devastated to the point that she ended it all and was found hanging in the basement the next day. Zoom forward to today and this location is now a seating area and her ghost can sometimes be seen wiping down tables. In addition the sound of a lady sodding can also be heard. 




Location #8. The Spaniards Inn.

Dick Turpin's father was supposedly the landlord of this establishment and Turpin spent a great deal of time there. The name of the Inn is said to come from two Spanish landlords. They fell in love with the same person, decided to duel to the very death with one of them (Juan) being killed. He is supposed to haunt the pub, perhaps looking for revenge!?




Location #9. Saint Saviours Church.

Christopher Neil-Smith was the vicar of St Saviours and is credited with performing more than 3000 exorcisms in Britain, starting in 1949. He became a notable authority on the subject, especially when a certain film was released in 1970.



Location #10. University College London.

A wonderful university, its buildings are said to be haunted by a young girl, Emma Louise, who appears if one says her name three times. She was supposedly killed in a tunnel between the modern building and the older Cruciform buildings some time ago. 


There were a few more locations but when we passed through Covent Garden spotted a friend going in to Brompton Junction and you can guess the rest.

This was another great London themed ride that I always enjoy a great deal. Many thanks to Nick for organising and being our guide. 

I have been so busy of late. I have been on the odd adventure but haven't really had the time to get more blog posts up. Hopefully normal service will resume. 

Until next time, stay safe out there people!  

Wednesday 10 November 2021

Orange Brompton for the RideLondon Essex 100

For several years I tired to get into the Ride100 event and always got the commiserations magazine in the post informing me that I had not secured a place in the dreaded ballot. Today I managed to secure a place in the new event for 2022.

I did take part in the Ride46 event a couple of times and really enjoyed it and was due to finally do the Ride100 event but the 'C' word halted all of that. 

Today was a first come first served affair and at 10:00 am one could sign up for a place, forgoing the ballot altogether. I went to the RideLondon website at more or less 10:00 and signed up in only a couple of minutes. It was all very quick and easy. 

Apart from knowing that the event will start and finish in London, be 100 miles on traffic free roads and feature some lovely Essex countryside I know nothing else. The route won't even be published until the new year. I have to say, this doesn't really bother me at all. 

I will definitely be completing this on one of my Orange Brompton bicycles and I will be putting in the miles in preparation for it. I look forward to it greatly. 

Until next time, stay safe out there people!



Friday 29 October 2021

Streets an Alleys of London on an Orange Brompton

What seems like ages ago, on 19th September, I went on another quite brilliant London themed ride. This one was titled 'Streets and Alleys' and would to be an eye opener on some of London's street names.

I set off early and could not resit taking a photo outside a property where John Lennon used to live in Marylebone.


I stopped off for a cup of tea and a roll at the Serpentine Cafe overlooking the lake. As I munched away looking out at the familiar view lots of memories replayed in my head. One of these caused me to almost burst out laughing. In one of the Jeeves books, Bertie Wooster recalls when he was once adrift at sea - with Jeeves - and thought that they might have drifted to home territory but mistook the Serpentine for the South China Sea!


There were lots of familiar faces and the turnout of Brompton riders was pretty good which is always a welcome sight.


Our meeting point was Hyde Park Corner and once the soldiers on horse has trotted past - arriving on schedule to the very second - we were off.


Rotten Row

Our first port of call was quite literally but a few steps away. Rotten Row came into being when William III moved to Kensington Palace up the road. With lots of naughty highwaymen lurking in the shadows, 300 oil lamps were set up to try and make things safer. Over 100 years later it was a popular spot for well to do sorts to promenade around. Its original name was Route du Roi but become Rotten Row - a short of pigeon English version of it perhaps.



Man in the Moon Passage - off Vine Street

The history behind this one almost brought a tear my eyes. Back in 1791, the famous double bass player, Frantisek Kotzwara paid a visit to a  prostitute in Vine Street with a rather outlandish request for her, to castrate him! Naturally, she refused - who wouldn't? Undeterred by this Kotzwara - obviously on a roll - still enjoyed himself but the nights naughtiness ended up with him dying via auto-erotic asphyxiation, the first time it was ever recorded as a cause of death. You couldn't make it up!



Seven Dials

Seven Dials in Covent Garden is a location I have always thought caters for three groups: tourists, hipsters and office workers. The original layout for it was designed in the 1690s with the idea that it would prove popular the well heeled. It did but also attracted many that that well heeled did not particularly want to fraternise with!




Hanging Sword Alley 

What a great name. It took its name from a fencing school whose existence was first recorded in 1564 - and remained there well into the 17th Century. Later on it became known as 'Blood Bowl Alley' after a an infamous drinking establishment. Later still it reverted back to 'Hanging Sword Alley.'




Bleeding Heart Yard

The courtyard probably got its name from a 16th Century inn called the 'Bleeding Heart.' However, legend has it that Lady Hatton (from the family who owned much of the area of London, Hatton Garden) made a pact with the devil, who danced with her and subsequently tore her heart out. This was then found the very next day still beating in the courtyard. 


The location also appears in the Charles Dickens novel 'Little Dorrit' as the home of the Plornish family. 



Cock Lane

Perhaps not a surprise, Cock Lane was the site of legal brothels in the medieval period. It is also the location where the 'Cock Lane' ghost revealed itself to startled onlookers in 1762. (I suspect they were never the same again)!



Wardrobe Place

This was the location of the Kings Wardrobe. Most people have a fitted wardrobe or something just about still standing from IKEA but Edward III back in the 1300s set up a few houses to keep his finest inside. 




Photo bombing the tourists


Sherborne Lane

In the 13th Century this street was called 'Shittborwelane' and later 'Shiteburn Lane' due to the foul stench emitting from nearby public toilets. Perhaps appealing to the sensitivities of the the general public, the name eventually settled with 'Sherbourne Lane.' Thank goodness for that!



Pudding Lane

This is generally thought of as the location for the bakery where the Great Fire of London started in 1666. The bakery was located opposite the Monument. 



Mincing Street 

In the 19th Century Mincing Lane was the centre for all things tea and spice. The popular radio programme 'Round the Horn' starring among others, Kenneth Williams, made the word 'mincing' popular in slang terms for the way certain people walk. 



French Ordinary Court

This passageway go its name from food venues where all the meals cost the same amount. The French part comes from the arrival fo French Huguenots who opened several 'Ordinaries' in this part of London to caster for the tastes of their fellow immigrants.  





Crutched Friars

These Friars were part of a Catholic religious order in England and Ireland first recorded in the 13th Century. The name comes from the staff they carried with them with a crucifix on top. The word 'Crutched' is a corruption of crucifix and nothing to do with crutches at all. (Saying that, I bet one of them had a limp). 
 


Horselydown Lane

This was originally an area of pasture used for grazing animals during the Middle Ages. If you were old enough, you could stand there with Tower Bridge only up the road and say that you remember when it was all fields!



Disney Street 

Actually a very old name from the Norman era deriving from the surname d'Lsigny. Zoom forward to more recent times Walt Disney actually visited this street and had some photos taken while he was in London. 


Many thanks to Ross for another great ride and lots and lots of interesting information. (He could become an official guide). I always enjoy these rides and the 20 or so miles flew by. 

Until next time, stay safe out there people.